Game board mechanism

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and devices implement game units that have reduced power consumption. Game units include housings and game boards coupled to the housings and configured to receive and hold a plurality of game pieces. The game units further include insert assemblies coupled to the housings and configured to receive payment from a user. The game units also include gating devices coupled to the game boards and configured to hold game pieces in the game boards when in a first position, and further configured to release game pieces from the game boards when in a second position. The game units also include mechanical devices configured to return the gating device to the first position from the second position after a designated period of time, and catches configured to receive game pieces from the game board through the gating device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/671,411, filed on May 14, 2018,which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety for allpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to mechanical entertainment units, andmore specifically, to mechanical features of an entertainment unit forplaying a game.

BACKGROUND

Some game units may be capable of being used in public and privatespaces. Such game units may be utilized by a variety of users in thecontext of a variety of different environments. For example, a game unitmay be mounted in a particular area or wall of an establishment, and maybe used to provide entertainment for patrons of the establishment.However, such game units implemented in public spaces typically utilizeelectrical power in order to operate. Accordingly, such game unitsutilize electrical power to operate various internal components, andprovide the user with a gaming experience in a satisfactory manner. Suchgame units typically require a power source be provided to the gameunit, thus increasing the power consumption of the game unit as a whole,and complicating initial setup of the game unit and relocation of thegame unit. Such game units remain limited in their ability to reducepower consumption while still providing the user with a satisfactorygaming experience.

SUMMARY

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices implement game unitsthat have reduced power consumption. Game units include housings andgame boards coupled to the housings and configured to receive and hold aplurality of game pieces. The game units further include insertassemblies coupled to the housings and configured to receive paymentfrom a user. The game units also include gating devices coupled to thegame boards and configured to hold game pieces in the game boards whenin a first position, and further configured to release game pieces fromthe game boards when in a second position. The game units also includemechanical devices configured to return the gating device to the firstposition from the second position after a designated period of time, andcatches configured to receive game pieces from the game board throughthe gating device.

In various embodiments, the game unit further comprise a pivot, a firstlinkage bar coupled between the insert assembly and the pivot, and asecond linkage bar coupled between the gating device and the pivot. Invarious embodiments, the insert assembly is further configured toreceive a force from the user, the first linkage bar is configured totransfer at least some of the force to the pivot, and the transferringof the at least some of the force to the pivot causes the mechanicaldevice to compress and store mechanical energy, and also causes thesecond linkage bar to pull on the gating device. According to variousembodiments, the mechanical device is a spring configured to return to aresting position after the designated period of time. In someembodiments, the spring is a gas spring.

In various embodiments, the designated period of time is determinedbased on an amount of time taken by a column of game pieces to fall fromthe game board to the catch. According to various embodiments, thehousing is configured to be mounted on a wall. In some embodiments, thepayment is a plurality of coins. In various embodiments, the game boardincludes a plurality of columns configured to hold game pieces, and eachof the plurality of columns includes a plurality of perforationsconfigured to enable visibility of the held game pieces.

According to various embodiments, a game unit comprises a housing, agame board coupled to the housing, an insert assembly coupled to thehousing, and a gating device coupled to the game board and configured tobe closed in a first position, and further configured to be open in asecond position. Game units further include a mechanical deviceconfigured to return the gating device to the first position from thesecond position after a designated period of time, a pivot included inthe housing, the pivot comprising a rotation point and a plurality ofattachment points, and a first linkage bar coupled between the insertassembly and one of the plurality of attachment points of the pivot.Game units also include a second linkage bar coupled between the gatingdevice and one of the plurality of attachment points of the pivot, and acatch configured to receive game pieces from the game board through thegating device.

In some embodiments, the insert assembly is further configured toreceive a force from a user, the first linkage bar is configured totransfer at least some of the force to the pivot, and the transferringof the at least some of the force to the pivot causes the mechanicaldevice to compress and store mechanical energy, and also causes thesecond linkage bar to pull on the gating device. In various embodiments,the mechanical device is a gas spring configured to return to a restingposition after the designated period of time. According to variousembodiments, the gas spring is configurable such that the designatedperiod of time at which the gating device closes is adjustable. In someembodiments, the game board includes a plurality of columns configuredto receive and hold game pieces, and wherein each of the plurality ofcolumns includes a plurality of perforations configured to enablevisibility of the held game pieces.

In various embodiments, methods include receiving a payment and a forceat an insert assembly of a game unit, the game unit comprising a gameboard capable of receiving and holding game pieces. Methods furtherinclude transferring at least some of the force to a mechanical devicecapable of storing mechanical energy, transferring at least some of theforce to a gating device, transitioning the gating device from a closedstate to an open state in response to the transferring, andtransitioning the gating device from the open state to the closed statedafter a designated period of time.

According to various embodiments, the transferring of the at least someof the force to the mechanical device further includes transferring theforce from the insert assembly to a pivot via a first linkage bar, andtransferring at least some of the force from the pivot to the mechanicaldevice. In some embodiments, the transferring of the at least some ofthe force to the gating device further includes transferring at leastsome of the force from the pivot to the mechanical device via a secondlinkage bar. In various embodiments, the mechanical device is a gasspring capable of returning to a resting position after the designatedperiod of time. According to various embodiments, the transitioning ofthe gating device from the open state to the closed state after thedesignated period of time includes decompressing the mechanical deviceto release the stored mechanical energy. In some embodiments, receivingthe payment further includes receiving a designated number of coins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of an example of a game unit, configured inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2A illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2B illustrates yet another diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2C illustrates an additional diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method for using agame unit, implemented in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of the presented concepts. Thepresented concepts may be practiced without some or all of thesespecific details. In other instances, well known process operations havenot been described in detail so as to not unnecessarily obscure thedescribed concepts. While some concepts will be described in conjunctionwith the specific examples, it will be understood that these examplesare not intended to be limiting.

Many game units require electrical power to be played in public andprivate spaces. Accordingly, such game units remain limited because theyrequire a power source in order to function. Other game units that donot require electrical power often have issues with mechanicalimplementations that make game play impracticable, clumsy, or diminishfrom entertainment value. Accordingly, conventional game units arelimited in their ability to be used in a variety of environmentalcontexts, both public and private, without the use of electrical powerand in a manner that provides a good user experience.

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and devices that provide gameunits that have reduced power consumption. In various embodiments, gameunits do not require power, and are configured to repeatedly implementgaming sessions with no electrical power consumption. As will bediscussed in greater detail below, game units may be configured toimplement a game similar to Connect 4. Accordingly, game units mayinclude game boards that hold various game pieces, and a gating devicemay be used to release the game pieces when a new gaming session is tobe implemented. As will be discussed in greater detail below, internalcomponents of the game units, which may be mechanical devices such asgas springs used to store mechanical energy, may control, at least inpart, the operation of such gating devices thus enabling the initiationof a new gaming session with no electrical power consumption.

FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of an example of a game unit, configured inaccordance with some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, a game unit, suchas game unit 100, is configured to implement a game such as Connect 4.Accordingly, game unit 100 includes a housing, such as housing 105, andis configured to include game board 101 that has a plurality of rows andcolumns configured to receive game pieces, such as game piece 102, andthe columns may have perforations through which game pieces are visible.Thus, a user of game unit 100 may place game pieces into slots at thetop of the columns, such as slot 104, and the game pieces may fall intoa resting position within its respective column.

In one example, game unit 100 is played by two players. Each player hasn number of discs or game pieces, for example 21, all of one color. Thegoal of the game is for one player to get x number of discs adjacent toeach other, such as four consecutive discs in a column, row, or straightdiagonal configuration. Discs are dropped in a slot at the top of eachcolumn. For example, there may be seven columns. Players alternate turnsby dropping discs into each column with the goal of getting x number ofthat player's discs in a straight configuration. Once a player wins orthere is a draw (neither player is able to get n number in a straightconfiguration before all the discs are played, i.e., dropped), the gameis over and the used discs stay inside the game unit thereby visible onthe game board. Any unused discs can be returned to holders, such asholder 107, on the side of game unit 100, or may be placed in catch 106.The played discs are released from game unit 100 when a new playerprovides payment by, for example, inserting coins. Such payment maycause the release of the game pieces into catch 106 which can then beused to play a new game.

In some embodiments, game unit 100 includes a gating device at thebottom of the columns that is configured to hold the game pieces in thecolumns during play, and is further configured to release the gamepieces at the end of play once the game is over. Additional details ofthe gating device will be discussed in greater detail below. Game unit100 further includes catch 106 which is configured to catch game piecesthat have been released from game board 101. When not in use, gamepieces may be stored in one or more holders, such as holder 107.

In various embodiments, game unit 100 includes insert assembly 108 whichis configured to receive a form of payment, such as coins, that are usedto provide payment and activate game unit 100. Thus, according tovarious embodiments, insert assembly 108 may be include a slot used toreceive coins, and may also include a push mechanism, such as a button,that may be used to receive a mechanical force from a user once paymenthas been made. In some embodiments, insert assembly 108 is configured asa bill acceptor that is configured to accept paper money, such as onedollar bills and five dollar bills. In various embodiments, game unit100 may be configured to be mounted on a wall. In such embodiments, gameunit 100 may be a large sized game unit. For example, game unit 100 maybe about 60 inches wide by 50 inches tall. In some embodiments, gameunit 100 is configured to be a portable unit that is not mounted on awall, but may be coupled to a stand for desktop gaming.

FIG. 2A illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, FIG. 2Aprovides another view of game unit 100 described above. As also notedabove, dimensions of game unit 100 may be configured in a variety ofembodiments. In one embodiment, game unit 100 is five feet wide by fourfeet tall. In this example, game unit 100 is configured as a relativelylarge wall unit that is configured to be mounted to a wall of anestablishment.

FIG. 2B illustrates yet another diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, FIG. 2Bshows a front view of game unit 100 as described above, and as discussedabove, game unit 100 may include game board 101, catch 106, holder 107,and insert assembly 108. As also noted above, game pieces, such as gamepiece 102 may be used with game unit 100. It will be appreciated thatwhile one implementation of game unit 100 is shown, various differentconfigurations are contemplated herein. For example, while two holdersare shown on each side of game unit 100, various different numbers ofholders may be used such as one on each side, or three on each side.Moreover, the number of holders on each side need not be symmetric. Forexample, game unit 100 may include one holder on a first side, and threeholders on a second side.

FIG. 2C illustrates an additional diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, FIG. 2Cprovides a side view of game unit 100, and provides an additional viewof holders, such as holder 107. In this example, the dimensions of gameunit are configured such that holders of game unit 100, such as holder107, are configured as indentations on the sides of game unit 100 thatare large enough to be used as shelves. Accordingly, one or more of theindentations, such as holder 107, may be configured to receive and holditems, such as glasses and/or plates that may be used by users whileutilizing game unit 100. As noted above, such holders may also beconfigured to hold game pieces. Moreover, such holders may be colorcoded to have a color that corresponds to the different colors of thegame pieces.

FIG. 3 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments. More specifically, FIG.3 illustrates an interior of game unit 100 from a rear perspective.Accordingly, as will be discussed in greater detail below, FIG. 3provides additional details regarding the interior components of gameunit 100 that enable the release of the game pieces in a suitable mannersuch that operation of the game unit uses mechanical means withoutelectrical power.

As noted above, game unit 100 may include insert assembly 108 which maybe configured to receive a form of payment, such as coins. Accordingly,insert assembly 108 may be used by a player to insert coins to begingame play. In other embodiments, other means can be used to initiategame play, more specifically, to release pieces from the game board.Bills can be inserted or other means can be used in other configurationsof game unit 100. In various embodiments, game unit 100 may furtherinclude receptacle 302. In one example, receptacle 302 is a coin boxthat is configured to receive coins from insert assembly 108.Accordingly, coins may be placed in one or more slots of insert assembly108, and the coins may be pushed inward into game unit 100. The coinsmay drop down a gap once they pass a tolerance point into receptacle302. In various embodiments, a push mechanism of insert assembly 108causes first linkage bar 304 to move in a first direction. By moving thefirst linkage bar 304 in the first direction, pivot 306 is activated,and a first side of pivot 306 is moved in a first direction, which maybe downwards. The first side of pivot 306 that moves downwards mayactivate mechanical device 308. Accordingly, pivot 306 may have arotation point at which it is rotatably coupled to housing 105 and/or aback of game board 101, and may have multiple attached points to coupleto other components, such as linkage bars 304 and 310 as well asmechanical device 308. In various embodiments, mechanical device 308 isan elastic device, such as a gas spring. In some embodiments, the gasspring is a mechanical device that uses compressed gas included in anenclosed cylinder coupled to a sliding piston to store potential energywhen compressed responsive to receiving a force, and release such storedpotential energy when the force is released.

As shown in FIG. 3, mechanical device 308 is normally in an extendedposition that may be a resting position. When the first side of pivot306 goes down, the gas spring is activated, as may be the case when itis compressed. At this time, the second side of pivot 306 goes up. Thesecond side of pivot 306 is coupled to second linkage bar 310, and inthis example, the second side of pivot 306 pulls second linkage bar 310up. In various embodiments, second linkage bar 310 is a vertical linkagebar that is coupled to gating device 312, which may be gate configuredselectively retain or release game pieces from game board 101.Accordingly, when in a closed state, gating device 312 keeps the discsfrom falling into catch 106. When in an open state, gating device 312allows the discs to fall into catch 106.

As discussed above, where mechanical device 308 is configured as a gasspring, the gas spring is activated, and then may return to its normallyextended, resting position. When it is activated, second linkage bar 310is pulled up and the gating device 312 is opened. This releases gamepieces discs from each of the columns of game board 101 into catch 106.According to some embodiments, a designated amount of time is used toallow for a full column of game pieces to fall into catch 106. Forexample, the designated amount of time may be two seconds. Whenmechanical device 308 is activated, gating device 312 is opened and thegame pieces fall. Mechanical device 308 then returns to its normallyextended position. When returning from the activated position to thenormal resting position, gating device 312 may experience a constant butslow closing of the arm. More specifically, gating device 312 does notsnap shut after opening, but slowly closes in a manner consistent withproperties of mechanical device 308.

Where mechanical device 308 is configured as a gas spring, properties ofthe gas spring may be configured to implement the delayed closing overthe designated amount of time. For example, various aspects ofmechanical device 308 may be configurable to implement such a designatedamount of time. In one example, a push-in force may be adjustable via alocal knob included on the gas spring. In another example, a length ofthe piston rod or cylinder may be changed via one or more telescopingmechanisms. Furthermore, a spring constant of mechanical device 308 maybe configured such that gating device 312 closes after a designatedamount of time has passed, and all game pieces have fallen out of gameboard 101.

In various embodiments, a secure, tamper-proof counter, such as counter320 is attached to first linkage bar 304, and counter 320 is configuredto keeps track of the number of times insert assembly 108 and receptacle302 receive the required number of coins for activating game play.Accordingly, counter 320 may be configured to count each coin receivedand determine when an appropriate number of coins has been received forgame play based on the comparison of the count with a predeterminednumber. Moreover, counter 320 may be configured to also count a numberof times the predetermined number has been met and how many timesgameplay has been initiated.

While various embodiments are described herein as not using electricalpower, in some embodiments, game unit 100 may be configured to includeelectrical components, such as an electrical counter or other electricalcomponents, if electrical operation is desired. For example, an electroservo motor can be used to open and close gating device 312, and can bemade to operate slowly to allow time for the discs to fall into catch106. In various embodiments, components of insert assembly 108, such asa bill acceptor and/or card swipe, may signal the servo to open/closegating device 312. In some embodiments, such a servo motor may be usedinstead of pivot 306 and mechanical device 308, and could be used incombination with a mechanical coin insert. In this way, a combination ofmechanical and electrical components may be used to implement someelectrical functionalities while reducing an overall power consumptionof game unit 100.

FIG. 4 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments. More specifically, FIG.4 illustrates additional details of a gating device, such as gatingdevice 312 discussed above, as viewed along a cross-section taken alongline F of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, gating device 312 is coupled tosecond linkage bar 310 at joint 402. When pulled, second linkage bar 310causes movement of pins, such as pin 404, within gating device 312 thatare used to hold game pieces in columns of game board 101. In oneexample, joint 402 is linkage that transfers vertical motion of secondlinkage bar 310 to lateral motion of pins in gating device 312, thussliding the pins out of the way of the game pieces in the columns ofgame board 101. When second linkage bar 310 returns to a restingposition, gating device 312 may also return to a resting position whichmay be a closed position. As noted above, the return to a restingposition may be facilitated by mechanical device 308, and in a mannerdetermined by characteristics of mechanical device 308, such as a springconstant or other aspects of a gas spring.

FIG. 5 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments. As discussed above, whengame pieces are released from their columns in a game board, they fallinto catch 106. Accordingly, FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed view of across section of catch 106. More specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates howcatch 106 may have an angled rest, such as rest 502, for game pieces,and may also have a door or lid, such as door 504, which may provide afront surface of an enclosure for catch 106. In some embodiments, door504 may be made of a transparent material, such as plastic orplexiglass. Additional details of catch 106 are discussed below withreference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

FIG. 6 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments. As discussed above, whengame pieces are released from their columns in a game board, they fallinto catch 106. As shown in FIG. 6, the game pieces may rest in catch106 on rest 502 at an angle and, as such, they are presented to users inan aesthetically pleasing way, so as to make it more visually appealingto play, and also providing easier and more efficient access to the gamepieces that are stacked and easily accessible. In various embodiments, adistance between the game pieces in the game board is reduced so thatless time is needed for the discs to fall.

As further shown in FIG. 6, various dividers, such as divider 602, maybe included between portions of catch 106 corresponding to each of thecolumns. In this way, game pieces that fall out of each column may bekept separate. In various embodiments, such dividers are optionallyincluded. For example, such dividers might not be included, and allcolumns may empty into a common area of catch 106. Furthermore, as shownin FIG. 6, a door may be coupled to a game unit via coupler 604 whichmay be a hinge. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 6, the door may swingupwards via coupler 604, thus providing access to the game piecesresting in catch 106 on rest 502.

FIG. 7 illustrates another diagram of an example of a game unit,configured in accordance with some embodiments. As discussed above, whengame pieces are released from their columns in a game board, they fallinto catch 106. Accordingly, FIG. 7 provides an additional side view ofthe implementation of catch 106 including dividers, such as divider 602.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart of an example of a method for using agame unit, implemented in accordance with some embodiments. As discussedabove, the operation of such game units may be implemented with minimalto no electrical power consumption. As will be described in greaterdetail below, mechanical devices that store mechanical energy may beused to implement such a reduction in electrical power consumption.

Method 800 may commence with operation 802 during which the game unitmay be in an initial state. In this initial state, the game board of thegame unit may include several game pieces from a previously played gamethat has ended. Moreover, other components of the game unit, such as amechanical device discussed in greater detail below, may be in aninitial state.

Method 800 may proceed to operation 804 during which an input may bereceived at an insert assembly. As discussed above, an insert assemblymay be configured to receive payment from a player. In some embodiments,the insert assembly is configured to receive a particular type of coin,and a designated number of coins, and once the designated number ofcoins has been received, a push mechanism of the insert assembly may bepushed by a user, and the insert assembly may transfer that receivedforce to one or more other components of the game unit. Accordingly, theinput received from the user may be a payment and/or a mechanical force.

Method 800 may proceed to operation 806 during which one or morecomponents of the insert assembly applies a force to a first linkage barincluded in the game unit. Accordingly, the force received by the insertassembly may be transferred to the first linkage bar. As discussedabove, the first linkage bar may be a horizontal linkage bar that iscoupled to other components of the game unit, such as a pivot, amechanical device, and a second linkage bar. During operation, the firstlinkage bar may transfer the received force to these components.

Method 800 may proceed to operation 808 during which the first linkagebar and a pivot move in response to receiving the force, and amechanical device coupled to the first linkage bar compresses inresponse to the first linkage bar moving. Accordingly, the forcereceived from the first linkage bar may cause a motion in the pivot thatcompresses the mechanical device and also causes a motion of othercomponents, such as a second linkage discussed in greater detail below.As also previously discussed, the mechanical device may be a spring,such as a gas spring. Moreover, the gas spring may be specificallyconfigured to return to a resting state in accordance with one or moretemporal parameters, such as returning to a resting state after adesignated period of time.

Method 800 may proceed to operation 810 during which a second linkagebar may be pulled, and may move in response to the pivot and firstlinkage bar moving. Accordingly, as discussed above, the movement of thepivot and compression of the mechanical device may cause the secondlinkage bar to be pulled and move upwards.

Method 800 may proceed to operation 812 during which a gating device mayopen in response to the second linkage bar moving. In variousembodiments, the second linkage bar is coupled to the gating device viaa linkage or joint, and the movement of the second linkage bar causesthe gating device to open and release all of the game pieces stored inthe game board.

Method 800 may proceed to operation 814 during which the mechanicaldevice may return to an initial state over a designated period of time.As discussed above, the characteristics of the mechanical device maygovern the rate and speed at which components of the game unit, such asfirst and second linkage bars as well as the pivot, are able to returnto an initial resting state. More specifically, when the mechanicaldevice is configured as a spring, a spring constant of the spring may beconfigured such that the components return to an initial state and thegating device is closed after a designated period of time. As notedabove, the designated period of time may be determined based oncharacteristics of the game unit itself, such as how long it takes foran entire column of game pieces to fall from a column of a game boardincluded in the game unit.

Method 800 may proceed to operation 816 during which a gaming sessionmay be initiated. Accordingly, once the game pieces have been clearedfrom the game board, and the components of game unit have returned to aninitial state and gating device is closed, various users may beginplaying the game in accordance with the rules described above.

Although the foregoing concepts have been described in some detail forpurposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certainchanges and modifications may be practiced within the scope of theappended claims. It should be noted that there are many alternative waysof implementing the processes, systems, and devices. Accordingly, thepresent examples are to be considered as illustrative and notrestrictive.

What is claimed is:
 1. A game unit comprising: a housing; a game boardcoupled to the housing and configured to receive and hold a plurality ofgame pieces; an insert assembly coupled to the housing and configured toreceive payment from a user; a gating device coupled to the game boardand configured to hold game pieces in the game board when in a firstposition, and further configured to release game pieces from the gameboard when in a second position; a mechanical device configured toreturn the gating device to the first position from the second positionafter a designated period of time; and a catch configured to receivegame pieces from the game board through the gating device.
 2. The gameunit of claim 1 further comprising: a pivot; a first linkage bar coupledbetween the insert assembly and the pivot; and a second linkage barcoupled between the gating device and the pivot.
 3. The game unit ofclaim 2, wherein the insert assembly is further configured to receive aforce from the user, wherein the first linkage bar is configured totransfer at least some of the force to the pivot, and wherein thetransferring of the at least some of the force to the pivot causes themechanical device to compress and store mechanical energy, and alsocauses the second linkage bar to pull on the gating device.
 4. The gameunit of claim 1, wherein the mechanical device is a spring configured toreturn to a resting position after the designated period of time.
 5. Thegame unit of claim 4, wherein the spring is a gas spring.
 6. The gameunit of claim 4, wherein the designated period of time is determinedbased on an amount of time taken by a column of game pieces to fall fromthe game board to the catch.
 7. The game unit of claim 1, wherein thehousing is configured to be mounted on a wall.
 8. The game unit of claim1, wherein the payment is a plurality of coins.
 9. The game unit ofclaim 1, wherein the game board comprises a plurality of columnsconfigured to hold game pieces, and wherein each of the plurality ofcolumns comprises a plurality of perforations configured to enablevisibility of the held game pieces.
 10. A game unit comprising: ahousing; a game board coupled to the housing; an insert assembly coupledto the housing; a gating device coupled to the game board and configuredto be closed in a first position, and further configured to be open in asecond position; a mechanical device configured to return the gatingdevice to the first position from the second position after a designatedperiod of time; a pivot included in the housing, the pivot comprising arotation point and a plurality of attachment points; a first linkage barcoupled between the insert assembly and one of the plurality ofattachment points of the pivot; a second linkage bar coupled between thegating device and one of the plurality of attachment points of thepivot; and a catch configured to receive game pieces from the game boardthrough the gating device.
 11. The game unit of claim 10, wherein theinsert assembly is further configured to receive a force from a user,wherein the first linkage bar is configured to transfer at least some ofthe force to the pivot, and wherein the transferring of the at leastsome of the force to the pivot causes the mechanical device to compressand store mechanical energy, and also causes the second linkage bar topull on the gating device.
 12. The game unit of claim 11, wherein themechanical device is a gas spring configured to return to a restingposition after the designated period of time.
 13. The game unit of claim12, wherein the gas spring is configurable such that the designatedperiod of time at which the gating device closes is adjustable.
 14. Thegame unit of claim 10, wherein the game board comprises a plurality ofcolumns configured to receive and hold game pieces, and wherein each ofthe plurality of columns comprises a plurality of perforationsconfigured to enable visibility of the held game pieces.
 15. A methodcomprising: receiving a payment and a force at an insert assembly of agame unit, the game unit comprising a game board capable of receivingand holding game pieces; transferring at least some of the force to amechanical device capable of storing mechanical energy; transferring atleast some of the force to a gating device; transitioning the gatingdevice from a closed state to an open state in response to thetransferring; and transitioning the gating device from the open state tothe closed stated after a designated period of time.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the transferring of the at least some of the force tothe mechanical device further comprises: transferring the force from theinsert assembly to a pivot via a first linkage bar; and transferring atleast some of the force from the pivot to the mechanical device.
 17. Themethod of claim 16, wherein the transferring of the at least some of theforce to the gating device further comprises: transferring at least someof the force from the pivot to the mechanical device via a secondlinkage bar.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the mechanical deviceis a gas spring capable of returning to a resting position after thedesignated period of time.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein thetransitioning of the gating device from the open state to the closedstate after the designated period of time comprises: decompressing themechanical device to release the stored mechanical energy.
 20. Themethod of claim 19, wherein receiving the payment further comprises:receiving a designated number of coins.